Surgical wrapping



Patented Apr. 13, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SURGICAL WRAPPING I Allen Abrams, Charley L. Wagner, and George W. Forcey, Wausau,.Wis., assignors to Marathon Paper Mills Company, Rothschild, Wis., a cor-, poration of Wisconsin Application March 19, 1936, Serial No. 69,732

, g 10 Claims. (01. 128-156) This invention relates to a bandage or tape. it is possible by adding suitable binders under One of the objects of the invention is to provide a flexible stretchable, pressure scalable bandage made from a thermoplastic composition.

Another object of this invention is to provide a surgical tape made from a wax-rubber composition.

A further object of the invention is to provide a surgical wrapping which will keep out dirt controlled conditions to certain thermoplastic substances which are brittle and not flexible at ordinary temperatures to render such thermoplastic substances pliable and flexible to a. remarkable degree so that they can be converted into a flexible tape. We have, for example, discovered that substances such as paraflin wax or certain types of asphalt which are brittle and not and moisture. flexible at ordinary temperatures can be .ren- 10 Another object of the invention is to provide dered pliable and flexible by adding thereto cera surgical wrapping for retaining wet dressings tain binders such as rubber, gutta Dereha, without loss of fluids or moisture in such dress- Viskanol, (a straight hydrocarbon produced ings. i by suitably polymerizing some of the unsaturated Further objects of this invention will be aphydrocarbon gases produced in cracking petro- 15 parent from the annexed drawing and the folleum) and similar binding agents. I, r lowing specification. We have also found that by properly control- On the drawing: ling the proportions and? compounding condi- Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a roll of tions we can uniformly produce compositions our surgical bandage or tape. having a desired predetermined viscosity and co- 20 Figure'2 is a view showing the surgical bandag h iv ss w y y a mp y d f r applied to an injured finger. conversion directly into self-sustaining sheets,

Figure 3 is a view illustrating the application films or tapes. of the bandage for holding a surgical dressing, emal'e ingredient y 11 p in place. I tion thus consists essentially of a thermoplastic 25 There has been a need for a long time for an Substance which 18 not flexible 1 plia le at Ordiinexpensive surgical wrapping or dressing which nary temperatures h y tance is furcan be readily applied to any part of th body thermore, solid at normal temperatures, but liqueand held in place by mere application of presfies ath h r temperatures. is in lu le in water sure. Further requirements of such bandage are a acts as a p sing medium or solventfor 30 that it should not adhere to the hair or skin, the binder which s added Q- y it should be stretchable and elastic and remain Stance having t e aforementioned properties can in place until removed. be used for our invention, as, for example, paraf- It has been previously proposed to use pale beeswax, p m i. p l

crepe rubber sheets for this purpose as disclosed The binder which we add to our body portion 5 m the patent to Rosenblatt 1,885,007 October 25,- is thermoplastic. insoluble i water a s id t 1927. It has also been proposed in patent to rd r temperatures; Itis furthermore elastic, Lloyd 1,981,561 November 20, 1984 to use a strip fl i and a strong adhesive Properties It of unvulcanized and partially depolymerized is dlspexsible or soluble in the y Portion n 40 crude rubber. It has also proved to be very natural or syntheti? Substances having h More 40 troublesome to manufacture such rubber bandg gg iifigigflifi fii 22 32: gi 3 5: ages of uniform quality and characteristics be-' u cause crude rubber is difiicult to manipulate and zl gi 'gg a zz artlficia'l gummy or rubbincan be sheeted out only by means of expensive specific mbodiment of composition '45 and heavy equipment adapted for conversion into flexible sheets, films,

the other f we succeeded m or tapes comprises a composition of rubber, or making strip material from inexpensive thermoa mbber 1ike substancmand a wax o a wax p a t c mate such as pe afl wax o w ch like substance. Suitable rubber and rubber-like is added a small proportion of a binder such as substances include pale crepe rubber, smoked 50 rubber, gutta percha, or other gummy substance. sheet rubber, vulcanizable rubbers generally and This composition is easily handled and can be gutta percha. We have successfully used parafconverted into sheets of uniform thickness withfin-wax, beeswax, spermaceti, and otherwaxes, out difliculty. in the preparation of our composition. However,

In forming our novel tape we have found that 55 pale crepe rubber and paraflin-wax are the ingredients which we prefer to use, for producing a substantially colorless and tasteless product.

The proportion of pale crepe rubber to parafiin-wax may, in general, vary between 6% rubber, 94% paraffin-wax and 30% rubber, 70% parafiin-wax by weight. Using other rubber-like and wax-like substances the proportions should be so chosen as to give suitable viscosities of at least 8000 secs. (50 cc. at C. measured on Scott viscosimeter) i The following will illustrate a preferred composition of our invention and a preferred method of preparing the composition:

Per cent by weight Paraffin-wax, melting point between and 180 F 85 to 88 Pale crepe rubber, 0.020 to 0.050 inch in thickness 15 to 12 The composition must be prepared under carefully regulated conditions which we have determined by long study and experimentation. The paraffin-wax is first melted by heating in a jacketed vessel, preferably provided with a kneader. type of stirrer, to a temperature of about 200-210 F. The individual sheets of rubber are then carefully added to the bath so that the surfaces are completely wetted with the molten parafiin as they are being immersed in the bath so as to avoid sticking and welding of the rubber sheets to each other in the bath.

During the addition of the rubber the temperature of the bath is permitted to drop to 180 to 190 F. and is maintained at this temperature throughout the compounding operations. After all the rubber has been added the bath is gently stirred with a paddle so as to permit thorough penetration of the paraffin into the rubber and to prevent lumping of the rubber during solution. This stirring operation is continued for about fifteen minutes until the rubber sheets are adequately soaked.

The mixture is then stirred mechanically in a kneader type of mixer until the batch is free of lumps of undissolved rubber. This operation requires 1 to 2 hours. The temperature of the mass is maintained at 180 to 190 F. during the entire period. At the end of this time any undissolved lumps may be strained out, broken up and returned. However, this is not ordinarily necessary. The composition so prepared is then ready for direct conversion into thin films.

Various pigments or other coloring matters, fillers, antioxidants and the like, may be incorporated, either directly or by means of a master batch, into the rubber-wax mixture, depending upon the type of pigment, filler or added ingredient to be incorporated. If a white composition is desired, for example, a white pigment such as titanium dioxide, or mixtures of titanium dioxide with either calcium sulphate or barium sulphate may be incorporated into the composition. We have also found that it is possible to vulcanize our rubber-paraffin wax composition at practically any temperature between say 70 and 300 F. as disclosed in our copending application Serial No. 40,765, Patent No. 2,054,115, September 15, 1936. However, if such mixtures are vulcanized or even partially vulcanized before being formed into films the entire composition becomes highly viscous and attains a gelled condition so that it cannot be satisfactorily sheeted out or used to coat or laminate fabrics. It is therefore necessary to first form the self sustaining film and then to vulcanize the composition.

We have found that high vulcanizing temperatures cannot be employed for our preformed films as the film loses its original characteristics and becomes distorted on account of the effect of the high temperature on the composition. It is therefore desirable to vulcanize the films or sheets at low temperatures after being formed. We have found that this can be readily effected by the use of super-accelerators which permit selfcuring after the film is formed. For this purpose we may use the split batch method of compounding our ingredients, although it is also possible to combine all the ingredients in one batch.

Examples of superaccelerators that can be satisfactorily used are the following:

"Butyle zimate"a zinc salt of dibutyl dithiocarbamate.

Zimatezinc dimethyl dithiocarbamate.

R-2"the reaction product of carbon bisulphide and methylene dipiperidine.

ZBX-zinc butyl xanthate.

552piperidine pentamethylenedithiocarbamate.

To avoid vulcanization when subjected to the high temperatures required for the film forming operation, two batches are prepared, one containing the vulcanizing agent and activator or pigment and the other containing the accelerator are mixed just before the film is to be formed. The final batch is made in such quantities that it will not gel within the normal operating time for using it up even at the temperatures occurring during the film forming operation. Thereafter, notwithstanding the relatively low temperatures prevailing during the storage of the product, the accelerators are effective in bringing about, vulcanization in a period, say, of up to several weeks.

The final batch of rubber-wax composition may have the following proportions by weight of materials:

Per cent Accelerator -1 Sulphur Zincoxide /2 Paraffin-wax (M. P. -132 F.) 83 Pale crepe rubber 15 When a milder cure is desired the proportion of accelerator and vulcanizing agent. used are reduced. For example, in the final batch of the aforementioned example, the accelerator may be reduced to 4 and the sulphur to This freshly prepared composition can be kept at not over F. and used any time within eight to ten hours after it is compounded, without gelling sufiiciently to render it unworkable.

When transparency is desired it is preferable to use zinc carbonate instead of zinc oxide in the above composition.

The vulcanized film will shrink in the grain direction much less than the unvulcanized film when subjected to elevated temperatures and will more successfully resist the action of ultra-violet light and will still retain its self-sustaining properties at elevated temperature. The vulcanized film is also more resistant to solvents than the unvulcanized film. However, the vulcanized film has lost its ability to heat-seal to itself, to paper and other sheet materials which is desirable for some purposes. These properties may be increased or diminished in degree by controlling the degree of vulcanization.

Antioxidants may be incorporated into our rubber-parafiin-wax composition whether it is to be vulcanized or not. We have found the following antioxidants suitable: hydroquinone, pyragollol,

para-hydroxy-phenyl naphthol.

The addition of theseantioxidants, age resistors or photo-ohemical inhibitors increases the resistance of the finished sheet or film to the action of light and air.

Where it is desired to make the film 'more sticky, up to 15% of a gum or resin, such as rosin, may be added to replace an equal weight of wax. Similarly, the gloss may be improved and a harder film produced by the addition of a hydrogenated vegetable oil, such as cottonseed, in amounts up to, say, 15% by weight, to replace an equal weight of wax.

During mixing and before the final rubberparaffln wax batch is ready to be supplied to the film forming machine, it is subjected to a vacuum of 15' to 20' inches of mercury, preferably as high as is practical of attainment, to eliminate air from the batch and prevent its inclusion in the film.

We have also succeeded in preparing flexible, self-sustaining films from compositions consisting of asphalt and rubber. In preparing such compositions, we may, for example; take 7 parts of rubber and dissolve same in 42%; parts of paraffin-wax. This mixture is then added to 50 parts of asphalt (paradura), which has been melted and heated to about 350 F. The composition is intimately .mixed and can be formed into a film which is non-tacky and flexible by sheeting out on a chilled forming roller similar to the method used in making films from rubberwax compositions. state is brittle and not flexible but by the addition of the rubber binder to same, it becomes flexible 'and can be formed into a self-sustaining film.

We have also prepared compositions comprising asphalt and 10% byweight of rubber from which we have formed self-sustaining sheets or films. The tackiness, strength, and flexibility of such sheets is dependent upon the type of asphalt used. By selecting high melting point asphalts, it is possible to produce films which are flexible and non-tacky but when these .are desired the time of heating must be carefully controlled.

The thin flexible self-sustaining sheets or films produced by any of the methods described above are particularly adapted for use as a surgical tap'e. When formed from a rubber-wax commorpheline, aniline-betaposition of the type described, the sheet or film material is practically moistureproof and waterproof, and if not vulcanized, has excellent heat andpressure sealing properties without being tacky at ordinary room oratmospheric temperatures. The sheet material may be either semitransparent or opaque, depending upon whether pigments or fillers are incorporated into the composition or not.

The surgical tape made from our sheet material is highly fiexible. In addition to this the sheet is capable of being stretched considerably; and after stretching it will tend to return to its original length although it will not fully regain itsoriginal length. At the same time the film has a certain degree of cohesion to itself when firmly pressed together, particularly if slight heat is applied. On the other hand, the film can be made to stick to itself better by stretching out and then pressing firmly together while stretched, as, for example, when it is wound around any part of the body.

The asphalt in its original- After forming thin flexible sheets according to the method described they maybe cut into suitable widths and wound up into rolls. If desired the rolls may beinterwound with paper or othersuitable materials but this is not essential as /under normal conditions the layers will not cohere.

Our bandage is waterproof and when unvulcanizedf has excellent heat scaling properties without being tacky at ordinary room temperatures. The sheet is highly flexible and can be stretched considerably; and after stretching it will only partially return to its original length. The film has also a certain degree of cohesion to itself when firmly pressed together, particularly if slight heat such as that of the hand is applied thereto. Our sheet material may be translucent or opaque depending upon whether or not pigments or fillers are incorporated in the composition. Our bandage can be made sterile as the composition from which it is made can be readily sterilized. Suitable medicaments or antiseptic substances may be incorporated in the film forming composition. When our bandage is wrapped around living body portions the heat generated in said body, portions causes the bandage to shrink, thereby more firmly engaging the parts wrapped.

Our bandage is preferably supplied in a compactly wound roll as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing so that it may be readily applied to any desired part of the body.

Figure 2 illustrates our bandage applied directly to a wound on a finger. Our bandage II is wrapped around the finger in overlapped relation under a slight and suitable tension or without any tension if so desired. The end l2 of the bandage is then pressed down with the hand causing it to pressure seal it to the layer beneath it. Our bandage material being very flexible and stretchable can be readily applied over the end of the finger as shown at l3. The bandage will remain on the finger very snugly even though the finger may be frequently flexed or used in any normal manipulative movements.

In Figure 3 our bandage is shown as applied to a wound on an arm. The gauze or other material which is applied to the wound is held firmly in place by wrapping our bandage ll under suitable tension in slightly overlapping convolutions and pressing down the end l5 so as to pressure seal it to the layer beneath it.

It is obvious that many other similar-applications can be made with our novel bandage material. Our bandage can be wrapped under no tension .or if desired, under small or great tension as it is readily stretchable. It is thus possible to apply tourniquets at any desired part of the body by merely winding our bandage strip under the necessary tension. It is also possible to make finger cots to completely enclose the end of the finger. Our bandage can be quickly and easily applied in case of sprains, blisters, bruises, cuts,

with our bandage.' Bunions or enlarged toe joints may be covered with our bandage with a suitable number of-shaped layers to relieve sufiering.

We can also use our surgical wrapping to eselves they separate upon applying a gentle pulling force. The same bandage can be removed and then reapplied as it retainsits pressure sealing properties. If desired our bandage material may be perforated by a series of any suitably spaced, regular openings to permit the circulation of air in the bandaged part.

20 Many other uses in addition to those enumerated may readily suggest themselves audit is intended in the appended claims to include the use of our bandage material for general surgical uses whether for human or animal purposes.

We claim:

1. A bandage for wrapping living body portions comprising a strip of a pressure sealable thermoplastic composition comprising wax and rubber,

30 said bandagegbeing shrinkable by heat generated" in said body portions so asto firmly engage same.

2. A bandagefor wrapping living body portions comprising a strip of a pressure sealing thermoplastic composition comprising wax and from at 35 least 6 to'30% rubber, said bandage being shrlnkable by heat generated in as to firmly engage same.

3. A bandage for wrapping living body portions comprising a strip of a pressure sealable thermoplastic comprising wax, rubber and an antioxidant, said bandage being shrinkable by heat generated in said body portions so as to firmly engage same.

said body portions so the afi'ected parts when completely 4. A bandage for wrapping living body portions comprising a strip of a pressure sealable thermoplastic composition comprising wax, rubber, pigment and an antioxidant.

5. A bandage for wrapping living body portions comprising a strip of a pressure sealable thermoplastic composition comprising wax, rubber and an antiseptic, said bandage being shrinkable by heat generated in said body portions so as .to firmly engage same.

6. A bandage for wrapping living body portions comprising a flexible self-sustaining strip of a vulcanized composition comprising wax and rubber, said bandage being shrinkable by heat generated in said body portions so as to firmly engage same:

'7. A bandage for wrapping living body portions comprising a flexible self-sustaining strip of a vulcanized composition comprising wax and from at least 6 to 30% rubber, said bandage being shrinkable by heat generated in said body portions so as to firmly engage same.

8. A bandage for wrapping living body portions comprising a flexible self-sustaining strip of a vulcanized composition comprising wax, rubber and an antioxidant, said bandage beingshrinkable by heat generated in said body portions so as to firmly engage same.

9. A bandage for wrapping living body portions comprising a flexible self-sustaining strip of a vulcanized composition comprising wax, rubber,

pigment and an antioxidant, said bandage being shrinkable by heat generated in said body portions so as to firmly engage same.

10, A bandage for wrapping living body portions comprising a flexible self-sustaining strip of a vulcanized composition comprising wax, rubber and an antiseptic, said bandage being shrinkable by heat generated in said body portions so as to firmly engage same.

' ALLEN ABRAMS.

CHARLEY L. WAGNER. GEORGE W. FORCEY. 

